[2] Partly an autobiography,[3] the book features examples that are principally drawn from the author's own work in an area broadly corresponding to Wessex,[4] and chapters are arranged to reflect the passage of a single year, beginning and ending at Samhain.

Finally "Concrete" discusses the influence of the Industrial Revolution on architecture around Bath, Somerset, and particularly the role played by the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Great Western Railway.

"[11] In The Spectator Harry Mount notes his "unparalleled understanding of this country's stones",[4] while in Literary Review Will Wiles emphasises "the remarkable way that Ziminski weaves together architecture, craft, landscape, archaeology and natural history".

[12] In History Today Gillian Darley describes Ziminski as "thoughtful, observant and well-informed",[1] while in The Times Literary Supplement Emma Wells writes that "Absorbing and engaging, The Stonemason perfectly captures the genius loci of the British landscape and its ancient buildings.

"[2] In The Times Jonathan Morrison praises the book as "uncompromisingly learned" and containing "moments of great lyricism", but notes that "the greatest regret is that you do not emerge feeling that you understand the stonemason's craft that much better".